A preview of the Chevrolet Volt

By Paul Batista
Instant Wheels Editor, InstantRiverside.com

GM is breathing life into a car called the Volt– it could make 2010 the year when the American automotive industry gives the Toyota Prius some competition.

Engineers at Chevy have been working secretly in their E-Flex design studio. The center of attention is the Volt, described as a concept car that can go 40 miles without requiring a single drop of fuel. It’s propelled by electricity, so when it needs a charge you simply plug it into a standard home outlet.

If you’re on the road, a small gas- or ethanol-powered engine kicks in and handles the charging, making it the opposite of a traditional hybrid. In the Volt, the gasoline is the supplemental energy source to the powerplant, the electric generator. There is no physical connection between the gasoline motor and the wheels that propel the vehicle. Thus GM refers to the Volt as an extended-range vehicle instead of a hybrid.

For Inland Empire residents with a commute of 40 miles or less each day, this is huge. It could potentially mean using absolutely no fuel for an entire week’s worth of rides to school or work. This also means no emissions from the tailpipe.

Filed under Video Library